ritual

UK: /ˈrɪtʃuəl/ US: /ˈrɪtʃuəl/ ,(rich′o̅o̅ əl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

rit•u•al /ˈrɪtʃuəl/   n. 

1. Religion
   • [countable] an established procedure for a religious or other rite:
     rituals for the dead.
   • [uncountable] a system of such rites:
     the comfort of ritual during a time of loss.
2. a practice regularly performed in a definite manner:
   [countable] Another ritual was the annual tea party.
3. Religion prescribed or ceremonial acts, thought of as a group:
   [uncountable] falling back on ritual when a new development occurs.

adj. [before a noun]

4. of or relating to a rite or ritual:
   a ritual dance.

rit•u•al•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

rit•u•al  (rich′o̅o̅ əl), n. 

1. Religion an established or prescribed procedure for a religious or other rite.
2. Religion a system or collection of religious or other rites.
3. Religion observance of set forms in public worship.
4. Religion a book of rites or ceremonies.
5. Religion a book containing the offices to be used by priests in administering the sacraments and for visitation of the sick, burial of the dead, etc.
6. Religion a prescribed or established rite, ceremony, proceeding, or service:
   the ritual of the dead.
7. Religion prescribed, established, or ceremonial acts or features collectively, as in religious services.
8. any practice or pattern of behavior regularly performed in a set manner.
9. a prescribed code of behavior regulating social conduct, as that exemplified by the raising of one's hat or the shaking of hands in greeting.
10. Psychiatry a specific act, as hand-washing, performed repetitively to a pathological degree, occurring as a common symptom of obsessive-compulsive neurosis.

adj. 

11. of the nature of or practiced as a rite or ritual:
    a ritual dance.
12. of or pertaining to rites or ritual:
    ritual laws.

• Latin rītuālis, equivalent. to rītu-, stem of rītus rite + -ālis -al¹
• 1560–70

rit′u•al•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. See ceremony. 
• 11. ceremonial, formal, sacramental.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ritual / ˈrɪtjʊəl/ noun

1. the prescribed or established form of a religious or other ceremony
2. such prescribed forms in general or collectively
3. stereotyped activity or behaviour
4. any formal act, institution, or procedure that is followed consistently: the ritual of the law

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of religious, social, or other rituals

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin rītuālis, from rītus rite

ˈritually adverb